Contractor for first phase of Starchaser Rocket City selected

D’Rubi Construction Inc., owned and operated by Elisa Contreras of Las Cruces, has been selected as the general contractor for the first phase of the Starchaser Rocket City development. The first project at the site will be the remodeling of an existing building to house corporate offices and retail area, as well as the design and installation of a 3600 sq foot exhibition center. Design work for the project is being handled by Studio D Architects of Las Cruces. Grand opening for the corporate office and retail area is planned for early May of this year. D’Rubi Construction Inc., with many years experience as a subcontractor in the Las Cruces area, has recently begun operations as a general contractor. “I am honored that my company has been chosen as the general contractor for this project, and we are eager to get started,” said Contreras. “The Starchaser project will allow D’Rubi Construction Inc. the opportunity to showcase its skills and experience in a highly visible location,” she added. Dona Ana County Commissioner, Oscar Vasquez-Butler, was apprised of the selection of the contractor this past Saturday and offered the following comment: “I look forward to working with Starchaser as they grow and become part of the community. I am interested to learn more about their plans to create good jobs for Dona Ana County residents.”

The ten-year $100 million project, which will be privately financed, is expected to create up to 300 permanent positions, from service industry to high tech, high salary aerospace jobs with an emphasis on training local people. Phased development of the site will include rocket manufacturing and astronaut training facilities, retail outlets, office accommodations, restaurants and exhibition areas as well as a space-themed hotel with conference facilities. The Starchaser Rocket City complex will span more than a mile of interstate frontage 17 miles west of the Las Cruces airport in Dona Ana County. “We are planning to create a positive and long lasting impact on southern New Mexico and the surrounding region,” said CEO Steve Bennett. “Starchaser Rocket City is ideally situated for the future development of Las Cruces, and will complement the state’s focus on both tourism and aerospace.”